Inside this issue:

Become a Member 2

Historical American

Moment

2

Education Manuals 2

President’s Corner 3

War of 1812 Partner 3

LAF (Continued) 3

Vision/Mission 4

Flag Day 4

their special day. The

War of 1812 slide show,

the presentation of the

Philip F. Haxel Patriot-

ism Honor Roll Awards,

and a skit of Life During

the War of 1812 preceded

the students’ performance

(Continued on page 3)

Bay View Elementary

School in Cecil County,

Maryland began their day

on May 8 with patriotic

music led by Music

Teacher, Mr. Sean O’Don-

nell. Principal Ms. Jenni

Hammer welcomed the

school to the auditorium

and a special day, intro-

ducing the AFF LAF

Chairman, Mr. Paul

Rose. A Parade of Flags,

and a presentation of the

colors by the Maryland

National Guard Freestate

ChalleNGe Academy ca-

dets set the stage for

Bay View Elementary and the Living

American Flag (LAF)

Passing The Baton! Ms. Zoe Bonitatibus, of

H a r f o r d c o u n t y ’ s

Meadowvale Elementary

and the 2011 Philip F.

Haxel, Sr. Baton of Patri-

otism Essay Contest Win-

ner passed the Baton of

Patriotism to 2012 Win-

ner, Ms. Gigi Sellers,

Grade 5, Bay View Ele-

mentary,

of North-

east, in

C e c i l

C o u n t y ,

Maryland

at the

July 13th

O r i o l e s

g a m e .

Ms. Lynn

H a x e l

W a r n e r

r e p r e -

s e n t e d

the patri-

o t i s m

essay contest’s namesake,

her father, Mr. Philip F.

Haxel, Sr. The winners are

selected from four catego-

ries each year: 3rd, 4th, &

5th grades of each of three

selected schools participat-

ing in a Living American

Flag, as well as an online

winner. Winners compete

to be the “Baton of Patriot-

ism” winner, their essay on

the AFF website, receive

certificates of recognition,

and finally to receive the

Baton of Patriotism

plaque, recognition on the

website as well as at an

Orioles’ game.

Participants are also recog-

nized at their school’s spe-

cial event, which includes

a Living American Flag,

complete with aerial shots

to be hung in their school.

Principal Ms. Jenni F.

Hammer and Vice Princi-

pal Shawn Johnson were

also present on-field, as

well as Ms. Sellers’ proud

family.

The American Flag Foun-

dation thanks Ms. Chris-

tina Zizos and the Orioles

organization for their gen-

erosity in making Gigi’s

accomplishment extra spe-

cial with her own “Orioles

day to remember!”

The Flag Bearer

Live at the Orioles’ Game — Passing

the Baton of Patriotism!

Special points of interest:

Become A Member of AFF

AFF Now Has Social Media!

Gigi Sellers holds the Baton

of Patriotism

Education manuals to be

updated by special commit-

tee

AFF an official partner in

the Celebration of the War of

1812 Bicentennial

P O B ox 4 35 • R i d erw o o d MD 2 1 13 9 • 41 0 -5 6 3 -F L AG

Summer 2012

Volume 5, Issue 1

w w w .a me r ic a n f la g f o u n d a to n .o r g

F o l l ow U s O n : F a c e b o o k | Tw i t t e r | Y o u T u b e | B l o g

Lynn Haxel Warner, Vice President of F. W. Haxel Flag

Co. (Holding the Baton of Patriotism) and Zoe Bonitatibus

look on as Gigi Sellers “high fives” the Orioles Bird!

founders of The American Flag Founda-

tion, conceived the idea of an annual

“Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance.”

In 1985, President Ronald Reagan

signed legislation recognizing the

“Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance” as

A team of teachers from Harford

County Public Schools will lead the

revision process. The project will be

completed by July 2013. The Resource

Guide and Handbooks will be available

on-line in the AFF store after July

2013.

More updates to follow.

Committed to a goal of revising the

Foundation’s Educational Resource

Guide and 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades

Education Resource Handbooks, it is

the desire of the committee to make

the Resource Guide and Handbooks

compliant with MSDE Social Studies

Common Core curriculum mandate

for all Maryland Schools.

part of National Flag Day activities.

The American Flag Foundation is

proud of its role in making this histori-

cal American moment an integral part

of Flag Day for citizens across the na-

tion!

We thank our Chairman COL Rick

Knauer, as well as Fort McHenry for

the team-

work in

p r o v i d i n g

such a his-

torical venue to hold this event.

The Pledge of Allegiance came into

existence in 1892. In October of that

year, during the National Public School

Celebration of Columbus Day, more

than 12 million school children in every

state said the 23 words of the original

Pledge. Since then the Pledge has been

recited daily by millions of citizens. On

Flag Day, June 14, 1954, during the

presidency of Dwight Eisenhower, the

words, “Under God” were added, and

that is the Pledge we say today.

In 1980, Louis V. Koerber, one of the

The American Flag Foundation is now

accepting membership! The kick-off

membership campaign took place this

past winter, after months of work by

our dedicated Membership Committee

led by board member Mr. Clay Furtaw,

Vice President of Marketing. A lapel

pin was designed especially for founda-

tion members; magnetic car decals,

certificates, and membership cards

were crafted and produced by the com-

mittee.

Membership information was placed on

the foundation’s website, and member-

ship requests started coming in...

In these dubious financial times, the Foundation is hopeful that its member-

ship program will provide an income

stream independent of grants and do-

nations, to keep its mission alive and

well.

The Foundation’s specific mission is “to

create and distribute educational mate-

rials, and facilitate or conduct events in

communities across the United States

that inspire patriotism and encourage

honor for the American Flag.”

Some of those events are found within

this publication: The Living American

Flag, and observances for National Flag

Day, including the Pause for the Pledge

of Allegiance on June 16th—the show-

piece AFF community programs.

New Membership Materials Now Available—Become A Member!

Education Handbooks Get Revised!

June 16 Flag Day—An Historical American Moment

The Flag Bearer Page 2

“I Pledge allegiance to the Flag

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it

stands…”

Membership Lapel Pin

Thank You!

AFF Official Partner—War of 1812 Bicentenniel

that would soon take place outdoors!

Teachers, parents, students and family

filed outside to the field behind the

school. Students picked up placards

from cadets and were guided into their

little piece of history, and

waited…

Soon all could spot the

airplane in the sky begin-

ning to circle above them!

Mr. Paul Rose, LAF Chair

and Mr. Bob Delisle, Vice

President of Operations for

the AFF gave instructions

for lifting their placards

towards the sky.

Finally, flags waving from

the youngest students and

Moms and Dads, they were

given the cue to raise them high and

hold! Pilot Gary Daniel from Fallston

and Photographer Col. Rick Knauer

started circling and clicking...and here

is Bay View Elementary, in history,

May 8, 2012.

work, and very thankful for your mem-

bership, your donations of time and

financial support to ensure that this

work continues into the future. I also

want to thank our educators who have

worked with us so enthusiastically for

such events as the Living American

Flag, as well as our current committee

working to revise our education manu-

als. Thank you all for your service and

commitment to America’s remarkable

history and values, via our students.

W e l c o m e

everyone to

this sum-

mer edition

o f o u r

newsletter!

As you can

i m a g i n e ,

we are busy

with our

new mem-

b e r s h i p

campaign, and I hope that all of you

cherish your association with The

American Flag Foundation as much as

I, and all our volunteers! We are doing

great work, and making lasting memo-

ries laying the patriotic groundwork for

our youth. I can’t tell you what it has

meant to me to lead this great organi-

zation as it brings the tenets of good

citizenship to our youngest citizens as

well as the rest of us. Suffice it to say,

I am proud to be a part of the good

for the recent Star-Spangled Sailabra-

tion!

15- STAR, 15 STRIPE FLAGS

Commemorative 15-

star, 15-stripe Star-

Spangled Banner

replicas are available

through F. W. Haxel.

Proceeds benefit The American Flag

Foundation, Friends of Fort McHenry

and The Star-Spangled Banner Flag

House.

The year 2012 marks the 200th anniver-

sary or “bicentennial” of the start of the

War of 1812. The American Flag Foun-

dation is an official partner in the

Sailabration—War of 1812 Bicentennial

events.

Visit the Star Span-

gled 200 website for

information on up-

coming events

throughout the cele-

bration years of

2012—2015. Read about The American

Flag Foundation partnering with the

National Park Service at Fort McHenry

Living American Flag—Bay View (Continued)

President’s Corner

Page 3 Volume 5, Issue 1

“The American Flag Foundation is an

official partner in the Sailabration—

War of 1812 Bicentennial.”

John A. Butler, President

Aerial view, Bay View Living American Flag

The American Flag Foundation, The Baltimore National

Heritage Area and the Maryland Historical Society part-

nered in the development of the War of 1812 Passport for

children and adults alike.

small handhold on the generously pro-

portioned Old Glory!

On Saturday, June 16th, The American

Flag Foundation was on deck once

again—providing the “Celebration of

the Flag” program, as part of the Star-

Spangled Sailabration. Everyone en-

joyed the roars and thunders of the

Flag Day Does A Double Take!

Blue Angels throughout the day, then

settled down to enjoy the music and

entertainment of the “Celebration of

the Flag” and evening fireworks.

Once again, Zambelli did a great job for

The American Flag Foundation pre-

senting an inspiring fireworks display.

We are assured that the community

looks forward to our annual Flag Day

fireworks.

Added to the entertainment venue were

some new acts such as the ShowTime

Singers, Morgan State University and

Ballet by Angela Hart. Long-time sup-

porters, Bill Myers’ Maryland Sings

and the Heart of Maryland Chorus

were also showcased in the line-up.

AFF would appreciate feedback from its

members for planning future events.

Thanks for your contributions and par-

ticipation. Please, have your say,

email your suggestions today!

This year, Flag Day, June 14th, fell on

a Thursday. And...just before the Star-

Spangled Sailabration weekend, with

all its security arrangements and re-

strictions!

Faced with blocked-off streets and al-

ternate parking for the performers and

equipment, as well as the community,

The American Flag Foundation part-

nered with the National Park Service’s

Fort McHenry National Monument and

Historic Shrine to create some special

time to honor our Flag, in advance of

the weekend, but on her birthday!

The “Annual National Pause for the

Pledge of Allegiance” program was held

inside the Fort walls on the parade

ground at 7:00 p.m., on the balmy eve-

ning of June 14th with citizens of all

ages in attendance. All had a great

time and, after the ceremony, enjoyed

taking part in retiring the Colors, hold-

ing and stretching before them their

Our Vision is to be the source for inspiring patriotism

and encouraging honor for the American Flag, and

our Mission is to create and distribute educational

materials, and facilitate or conduct events in commu-

nities across the United States that inspire patriotism

and encourage honor for the American Flag.

Our programs include the Living American Flag, the

annual national Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance,

and our Outreach programs, providing assistance to

other communities in planning and conducting patri-

otic events. Our website provides educational re-

sources to students and adults, as well as teachers.

Please let us know if we can help you with a patriotic

program today or in the future! Telephone or Email at

info@americanflagfoundation.org.

We’re on the web!

Www.americanflagfoundation.org

P. O. Box 435

Riderwood, Maryland 21139

Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance, held by The American Flag

Foundation, at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic

Shrine

A Living American Flag held at Staten Island, New York, courtesy of

The American Flag Foundation’s Bob Delisle and Harold Madison.

F o l l ow U s O n : F a c e b o o k | Tw i t te r | Y o u Tu b e | B l o g

Phone: 410-563-FLAG (3524)

Fax: 410-821-1252